Bear Essentials: Murray, Auld to Play

John Bishop is the beat writer for BostonBruins.com. He covers the Black & Gold hoping to offer a positive look at the team, not only from the stands and the press box, but also from inside the locker room. A graduate of Boston U. and Northeastern, 'Bish' grew up in Connecticut and moved to the Hub of Hockey in 1993. Since then he has made all four rinks at the Beanpot schools, as well as both Gardens, his icebound homes away from home. Prior to joining the TD Banknorth Garden staff in 2005, Bishop had written for several publications, with his primary focus being college hockey. He coauthored the book Bygone Boston in 2003 and hopes someday to pen a bio of Hobey Baker.

Good Afternoon! There are 56 good reasons to tune in tonight (7:30 p.m., NESN, WBZ) for the second game of Boston's home-at- home with the Buffalo Sabres.

Word from our northern contingent says that Glen Murray (#27) will play this evening and Alex Auld (#29) will get the start in goal (get it?).

Murray has missed 19 games with a hip flexor strain (Dec. 22-Feb. 5). Had single goals each Dec. 1 in Tampa Bay, Dec. 3 at NY Islanders and Dec. 5 in New Jersey; an assist Dec. 6 vs. Montreal; and a goal Dec. 12 in Atlanta -- his last score before his injury.

Murray has three multiple-point games with his season-high a 2-1-3 effort Nov. 17 in Montreal.

Auld has dressed as backup for the last five games and took the 8-2 loss in Montreal on Jan. 22 in his last start as he allowed four goals in 20 minutes before being relieved by Tim Thomas.

Auld's last win was a 4-3 overtime victory in Philadelphia on Jan. 12. He had a 2-0 win over Columbus on Dec. 15, which was the fourth shutout of his NHL career, his second of the season and his first as a Bruin.

Alex has also played in one shootout this season (0-1, 2 goals/3 shots).

Acquired Dec. 6 from Phoenix for Nate DiCasmirro and a 2009 fifth round draft pick. At the time, Auld was playing in San Antonio/AHL at the time of the trade, where he was assigned Nov. 20 from Phoenix.

Auld had a 3-6-0 record in nine Coyotes games this season with one shutout, a 1-0 win in Anaheim on Oct. 25 and earned a 1-1-0 record with San Antonio, with the win a 7-0 victory over Milwaukee on Nov. 24.

Take a look at the rest of the team's stats, here.4:22 p.m.
Not much to report from Buffalo, besides that it is still snowing. The Globe's Fluto Shinzawa writes in to gloat that he ate "medium wings at La Nova."

He thought my intern Angela and I would be jealous and he is right!6:59 p.m.
No word on scratches as of yet. But the northernmost B's say that it has been snowing, but earlier today the sun came out, which according to my source "is a big deal because it only happens about once a month in the winter."7:25 p.m.
From old friend "Spicy Chicken":During warmups there were 13 forwards. If I had to guess the healthy scratch goes to Thornton or Reich. Also, there are a lot of Bruin fans in attendance!